Tree Falls on Engine – Seguin, Texas

August 28, 2017 – Seguin, Texas – KENS 5 is reporting that Seguin Fire Departments, Engine 1, was struck by a falling tree while responding to a call yesterday. The tree was blown over by heavy gusts of wind as a result of Harvey. The tree struck Engine 1 in the center of the cab; between the driver and passengers narrowly missing the firefighters inside. Fortuantly, no one was injured. *Source http://www.kens5.com

August 27, 2017 – Multiple rescues by first responders have been taking place in South Texas as the result of Hurricane Harvey. One such rescue was caught on camera. The video shows the US Coast Guard rescuing people from a sinking boat near Port Aransas. According to reports, over 20 people were saved:

August 26, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey has devastated the Texas Coast, hitting the cities of Port Aransas and Rockport particularly hard. The first fatality from Harvey was confirmed today in Rockport, where a resident died in a house fire during the heart of the storm.

“The first fatality was reported in the hard-hit coastal city of Rockport, where the person died in a house fire during the storm, Aransas County Judge Burt Mills said Saturday afternoon.” (http://myfox8.com)

Harvey continues to dump massive amounts of rain in South Texas, with no sign of letting up. Residents should continue to follow advice issued by local officials and first responders.

*Lead photo credit: http://abcnews.go.com

August 25, 2017, 6:00 pm – Hurricane Harvey is expected to make landfall in less than 3 hours and now has reached Category 4 status; making Hurricane Harvey the strongest Hurricane to hit the Texas Coast since Hurricane Carla in 1961.

August 24, 2017, 11:00 am– Tropical Storm Harvey has gained sufficient power over the past couple of hours. Experts are now predicting Harvey developing into a Category 3 Hurricane, just before making landfall, north of Corpus Christi, Friday evening.

August 24, 2017 – Harvey has strengthened overnight and is now a Tropical Storm. As a result, the Hurricane Watch issued yesterday, has now been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning. Residents on the Texas Coast can expect to be confronted with massive flooding and high winds as Harvey is expected to make landfall late Friday. For those who live on or near the Texas Coast, advice and orders from local officials and emergency personnel should be followed. The updated story can be watched by clicking the following link:

August 22, 2017 – The Weather Channel is reporting that the National Hurricane Center has given Harvey a 100% chance of developing into a Tropical Storm or Hurricane. New predictions have Harvey headed for the Texas coast and arriving on Friday.

“The National Hurricane Center says there’s a high chance Harvey will redevelop, possibly as soon as Wednesday. Harvey is then expected to gain strength and will draw near, if not make landfall, somewhere from northeast Mexico to the Texas Gulf Coast around Friday.” (weather.com)

August 21, 2017 – The Weather Channel is reporting that Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to regenerate later in the week as it crosses into the Gulf of Mexico. Harvey is currently in the Caribbean, where it initially lost steam. However, newer predictions have Harvey being reborn in the coming days. Conditions are favorable for Harvey to gain power.

“The majority of forecast guidance at this time then suggests a reborn Harvey could then track northwest toward the coast of eastern Mexico or Deep South Texas by Friday.” (weather.com)

It is important to remember that hurricane season lasts through November. And many major hurricanes, such as Katrina, occur in late summer. We are only three months into the current season, so there is still ample opportunity for major storms to form. Is your department ready?